Fiber optic fan-out module

Abstract

A fiber optic fan-out module has a channel for receiving a fiber optic cable and a groove adjacent the channel for receiving protective filaments from the cable. The module further has an anchor block with a passage therethrough for receiving a loose protective sleeve assembly. The anchor block has a groove for receiving protective filaments from the sleeve assembly.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fiber optic fan-out module comprising: a housing having first and second ends, said housing having a channel in said first end for receiving a fiber optic cable having a plurality of optical fibers and protective filaments contained within a retaining means, and a groove adjacent said channel for receiving said protective filaments from said cable and said housing further having an opening in said second end for allowing the individual optical fibers of said cable exit said housing; and   an anchor block in said opening in said second end, said anchor block having first and second edges and having a passage through said anchor block for allowing optical fibers in loose protective sleeves containing protective filaments to exit said housing, said anchor block having a groove in said first edge adjacent said passage for receiving said protective filaments from said sleeve.   
     
     
       2. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 1 further comprising: a cable containing a plurality of optical fibers and protective filaments inside a retaining means, said cable being in said channel and said retaining means having an end in said housing, said protective filaments extending beyond said end of said retaining means and being held in said groove adjacent said channel by an adhesive, at least one of said fibers extending beyond said end of said retaining means; and   a protective sleeve containing protective filaments in said passage, said protective sleeve having an end in said housing, said protective filaments extending beyond said end of said sleeve, said filaments being held in said groove in said anchor block by an adhesive, and one of said optical fibers being inserted into said sleeve to exit said housing in said sleeve.   
     
     
       3. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 2 wherein both of said adhesives are epoxy adhesives. 
     
     
       4. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 2 wherein said protective filaments are aramid fibers. 
     
     
       5. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 2 further comprising a resilient shock absorbing gel in said housing. 
     
     
       6. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 5 wherein said resilient gel is a silicone gel. 
     
     
       7. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 2 wherein said anchor block has a groove in said second edge and further comprising a second protective sleeve containing protective filaments in said passage, said second protective sleeve having an end in said housing, said protective filaments extending beyond said end of said second sleeve, said filaments being held in said groove in said second edge by an adhesive, and one of said optical fibers is inserted into said second sleeve to exit said housing in said second sleeve. 
     
     
       8. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 7 wherein all of said adhesives are epoxy adhesives. 
     
     
       9. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 7 wherein said protective filaments are aramid fibers. 
     
     
       10. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 7 further comprising a resilient shock absorbing gel in said housing. 
     
     
       11. The fiber optic fan-out module of claim 10 wherein said resilient gel is a silicone gel.